MOH

Medal of Honor: Junior D. Edwards – Korean War – Korea – January 1951

When a vital hill was lost under machine-gun fire, he charged alone. Again and again, he rose into the storm—until his courage secured the ground with his life.

January 2, 2026

Name: Junior D. Edwards
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
Place: Near Changbong-ni, Korea
Entered Service At: Indianola, Iowa
Born: Indianola, Iowa

Summary of Action

On 2 January 1951, Sergeant First Class Junior D. Edwards distinguished himself while assisting in the defense of a strategic hill near Changbong-ni, Korea. When his platoon was driven from its position by intense and raking enemy machine-gun fire from adjacent high ground, the situation threatened the loss of a vital strongpoint.

Without hesitation, Sergeant First Class Edwards charged the enemy emplacement alone, hurling grenades as he advanced. His assault forced the enemy to withdraw temporarily, but after he exhausted his ammunition the enemy returned and resumed devastating fire. Refusing to yield, he secured a fresh supply of grenades and again rushed the position, neutralizing the weapon and killing its crew. Hostile small-arms fire forced him back once more.

Undeterred, when the enemy emplaced another machine gun and renewed its attack, Sergeant First Class Edwards obtained additional grenades and launched a third solitary assault through a vicious hail of fire. He silenced the second gun and annihilated its crew, but in this final charge he was mortally wounded.

By his repeated, fearless assaults and supreme self-sacrifice, Sergeant First Class Edwards enabled his platoon to regain and hold the critical position. His actions exemplified consummate valor and the highest traditions of the infantry and the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

EDWARDS, JUNIOR D.

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Changbong-ni, Korea, 2 January 1951.

Entered service at: Indianola, Iowa.

Born: 7 October 1926, Indianola, Iowa.

G.O. No.: 13, 1 February 1952.

Citation:

Sfc. Edwards, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon, while assisting in the defense of a strategic hill, was forced out of its position and came under vicious raking fire from an enemy machine gun set up on adjacent high ground, Sfc. Edwards individually charged the hostile emplacement, throwing grenades as he advanced.

The enemy withdrew but returned to deliver devastating fire when he had expended his ammunition. Securing a fresh supply of grenades, he again charged the emplacement, neutralized the weapon and killed the crew, but was forced back by hostile small-arms fire. When the enemy emplaced another machine gun and resumed fire, Sfc. Edwards again renewed his supply of grenades, rushed a third time through a vicious hail of fire, silenced this second gun and annihilated its crew.

In this third daring assault he was mortally wounded but his indomitable courage and successful action enabled his platoon to regain and hold the vital strongpoint. Sfc. Edwards’ consummate valor and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the utmost glory upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and military service.